28 February 2008 Devotion for Today "Spiritual Warfare" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

28 February 2008 Devotion for Today  "Spiritual Warfare"  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Reflecting upon a trip to Normandy in 2002, I could not help but to be overwhelmed at times
by the magnitude of sacrifice of life that people gave a generation before my birth so
that I can live in freedom.  We visited the beaches of the "D-Day" invasion from Ouisterham
to St. Mere Iglese.  Especially interesting were the gun emplacements along the cliffs of
"Point Du Hoc," where the allied armies scaled those cliffs under extremely heavy machine
gun fire.  At St. Mere Eglise, further up the coast, was the site of the assault by the
82nd Airborne.  One soldier managed to survive after having his parachute caught on the
roof of the church- watching the bloody battle which ensued below.  There were countless
stories like this, but there was one common denominator in this remarkable effort by those
who participated in this battle- courage and trust in God.

Over sixty years have gone by since then and our world has not changed very much.  Indeed
our world stands at the very brink of a conflict that may yet prove to be more costly
and dangerous than any we experienced in the last century.  This is because there is a
warfare being waged unseen behind the spiritual veil- a spiritual warfare that cannot
respond to peace talks and diplomatic initiatives by the most well-meaning and astute
statemen of our time.  Satan and his forces work to bring out the worst in us, and battle
against the godly plans that we desire in following the will of God.

The Apostle Paul is very keen about the nature of the conflict that we face in the
spiritual battle in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
"3.  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4.  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds;)
5.  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Paul constantly battled the pressures of the world which mitigated against his missionary
ministry.  Whereever he went, tensions existed that sought to prevent him from sharing
about Jesus Christ.  Sometimes it came in outright opposition from the people he tried to
preach to.  Sometimes the political powers-that-be saw Paul as a threat.  At other times,
Paul was not well-received by the small groups of believers who would not support his work.
The spiritual battles waged even within Paul's own spirit; brought about by health problems,
or plaguing fears, doubts, and thoughts of discouragement.  Even so, Paul refused to
accept defeat by these matters, because he understood the nature of what was driving them.
What Paul experienced outwardly was only an outward demonstration of what was going on
in the spirit world that he could not see.  He calls for us to consider that we are in
spiritual warfare and spiritual warfare requires certain weapons that can only be effective
in a spiritual battle.

Never a more vivid demonstration of this warfare exists than is found in the typical Sunday
morning program in an evangelical church.  The devil seeks to bring our best plans of
evangelism and mission into chaos and retreat.  We are encouraged to pray and to seek God's
strength and help that we may navigate through Satan's assaults.  If we are ill-prepared
spiritually, Satan will drive us back into the sea.  We must not for one moment think that
we can overtake him and march into his territory armed with our own schemes, ideas, and
plans.

What are the weapons of our warfare?  The Word of God, prayer, and obedience to share the
Gospel message of Jesus Christ.  Nothing can replace them if we want to see the Kingdom of
God succeed against the forces of darkness.  And before the battle can be waged elsewhere,
it must be overcome in our own hearts first.  Have a blessed day.

(From 22 April 2002)